In this thesis we argue that regime-switching models can significantly improve the pricing models for financial derivatives. We use three examples to analyse the valuation of derivative contracts under the Markovian regime-switching framework, namely, 1) a European call option, 2) a Ruin Contingent Life Annuity, and 3) a participating product. Such a regime-switching framework unveils a potent class of models. Throughout the modulation of the model parameters by a Markov chain, they can simultaneously explain the asymmetic leptokurtic features of the returns' distribution, as well as the volatility smile and the volatility clustering effect. The intuition behind regime-switching models is to capture the appealing idea that the macro-economy is subjected to regular, yet unpredictable in time, states, which in turn affects the prices of financial securities.

In this chapter, we present recent developments in using the tools of continuous-time Markov chains for the valuation of European and path-dependent financial derivatives. We also survey results on a newly proposed regime switching approximation to stochastic volatility, and stochastic local volatility models. The presented framework is part of an exciting recent stream of literature on numerical option pricing, and offers a new perspective that combines the theory of diffusion processes, Markov chains, and Fourier techniques. It is also elegantly connected to partial differential equation (PDE) approaches.

A road map for implementing quantitative financial models Financial Derivative and Energy Market Valuation brings the application of financial models to a higher level by helping readers capture the true behavior of energy markets and related financial derivatives. The book provides readers with a range of statistical and quantitative techniques and demonstrates how to implement the presented concepts and methods in Matlab®. Featuring an unparalleled level of detail, this unique work provides the underlying theory and various advanced topics without requiring a prior high-level understanding of mathematics or finance. In addition to a self-contained treatment of applied topics such as modern Fourier-based analysis and affine transforms, Financial Derivative and Energy Market Valuation also: • Provides the derivation, numerical implementation, and documentation of the corresponding Matlab for each topic • Extends seminal works developed over the last four decades to derive and utilize present-day financial models • Shows how to use applied methods such as fast Fourier transforms to generate statistical distributions for option pricing • Includes all Matlab code for readers wishing to replicate the figures found throughout the book Thorough, practical, and easy to use, Financial Derivative and Energy Market Valuation is a first-rate guide for readers who want to learn how to use advanced numerical methods to implement and apply state-of-the-art financial models. The book is also ideal for graduate-level courses in quantitative finance, mathematical finance, and financial engineering.

This book is a collection of original papers by Robert Jarrow that contributed to significant advances in financial economics. Divided into three parts, Part I concerns option pricing theory and its foundations. The papers here deal with the famous Black-Scholes-Merton model, characterizations of the American put option, and the first applications of arbitrage pricing theory to market manipulation and liquidity risk.Part II relates to pricing derivatives under stochastic interest rates. Included is the paper introducing the famous Heath-Jarrow-Morton (HJM) model, together with papers on topics like the characterization of the difference between forward and futures prices, the forward price martingale measure, and applications of the HJM model to foreign currencies and commodities.Part III deals with the pricing of financial derivatives considering both stochastic interest rates and the likelihood of default. Papers cover the reduced form credit risk model, in particular the original Jarrow and Turnbull model, the Markov model for credit rating transitions, counterparty risk, and diversifiable default risk.

This book is mainly devoted to finite difference numerical methods for solving partial differential equations (PDEs) models of pricing a wide variety of financial derivative securities. With this objective, the book is divided into two main parts. In the first part, after an introduction concerning the basics on derivative securities, the authors explain how to establish the adequate PDE boundary value problems for different sets of derivative products (vanilla and exotic options, and interest rate derivatives). For many option problems, the analytic solutions are also derived with details. The second part is devoted to explaining and analyzing the application of finite differences techniques to the financial models stated in the first part of the book. For this, the authors recall some basics on finite difference methods, initial boundary value problems, and (having in view financial products with early exercise feature) linear complementarity and free boundary problems. In each chapter, the techniques related to these mathematical and numerical subjects are applied to a wide variety of financial products. This is a textbook for graduate students following a mathematical finance program as well as a valuable reference for those researchers working in numerical methods in financial derivatives. For this new edition, the book has been updated throughout with many new problems added. More details about numerical methods for some options, for example, Asian options with discrete sampling, are provided and the proof of solution-uniqueness of derivative security problems and the complete stability analysis of numerical methods for two-dimensional problems are added. Review of first edition: “...the book is highly well designed and structured as a textbook for graduate students following a mathematical finance program, which includes Black-Scholes dynamic hedging methodology to price financial derivatives. Also, it is a very valuable reference for those researchers working in numerical methods in financial derivatives, either with a more financial or mathematical background." -- MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS

Written in a highly accessible style, A Factor Model Approach to Derivative Pricing lays a clear and structured foundation for the pricing of derivative securities based upon simple factor model related absence of arbitrage ideas. This unique and unifying approach provides for a broad treatment of topics and models, including equity, interest-rate, and credit derivatives, as well as hedging and tree-based computational methods, but without reliance on the heavy prerequisites that often accompany such topics. Whether being used as text for an intermediate level course in derivatives, or by researchers and practitioners who are seeking a better understanding of the fundamental ideas that underlie derivative pricing, readers will appreciate the book’s ability to unify many disparate topics and models under a single conceptual theme.